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Dolphins could be in the mix for free agent Randy Moss (with poll)

Minnesota put Randy Moss on waivers Monday, a surprising but not shocking move consider the behavior of the enigmatic wide receiver of late. According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, agent Joel Segal said he had heard from the Dolphins and Seattle within moments of the move.

While many would question the wisdom of adding such a volatile personality to what appears to be a mostly content locker room, the Dolphin brass would absolutely have to at least consider such a move. Here’s why:

— Moss would give Miami the kind of downfield threat it has lacked since trading Ted Ginn Jr. away last offseason. Brandon Marshall is an excellent receiver, but neither he nor Davone Bess or Brian Hartline have the speed to stretch defenses that Moss possesses. He is not only the best deep threat in the game today but one of the best ever. Adding that element to the Dolphin offense makes it 15-20 percent better immediately.

— Word is the Patriots have a keen desire to bring Moss back, and since Miami’s 4-3 record is inferior to that of New England’s 6-1 mark, the Dolphins’ claim would trump that of the Patriots, much as San Francisco’s claim for Cody Ross this past August kept rival San Diego from getting him. The last thing the Dolphins need right now is for the Patriots to get even better. And with the two sides having apparently patched whatever rift there was prior to his being traded, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady would be delighted to get him back.

— Moss spends a lot of time in South Florida these days and, last we knew, had a residence in Boca Raton. One would have to believe he’d behave given the opportunity to live in his own house during the season. Wouldn’t one?

And here’s why they might balk:

— Moss was only mildly productive for Minnesota after being dealt to the Vikings last month for a third-round draft pick. He caught 13 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns, including one pass for eight yards Sunday against the Patriots. He seems to get re-energized when he moves to a new team, but also has a habit of losing interest as time goes by. If the Dolphins were to lose the next two or three games and fall out of the race, his presence could be a huge distraction.

— The Dolphins would be on the hook for the rest of his $6.4 million salary. (Then again, with all the interest and speculation today’s move has spawned, it’s hard to believe they couldn’t move him again if this didn’t work out.)

When Bill Parcells was calling all the shots in Miami, the expectation would be the Dolphins would take a pass on this opportunity. But Parcells is gone, leaving GM Jeff Ireland an opportunity to make a bold and ambitious statement. Make no mistake: If the Dolphins did add Moss, they would immediately be regarded right alongside the Ravens, Steelers, Patriots and Jets as a bona fide Super Bowl contender.